By OkayGoal
Good food. Great game. And a whole lot of heart.
Professional soccer player Sam Angel has spent years chasing her dreams on the field. Now she’s bringing that same passion, creativity, and determination into the kitchen with the release of her first cookbook, The Long Game.
Part cookbook, part personal journey, The Long Game is a celebration of food, wellness, and learning how to take care of yourself while pursuing big goals.
And for those of us at Girls Soccer Network, this one is especially close to our hearts.
From The BIG LIFE to the Big Leagues
Long before becoming a cookbook author, Sam was helping tell the stories of young female athletes as one of the original hosts of GSN’s podcast The BIG LIFE.
Alongside her co-host Jordyn Wickes, Sam spent three seasons sharing the highs, lows, challenges, and unforgettable moments of being a Division I college soccer player.
A standout at the University of Iowa, Sam went on to pursue her professional soccer career, navigating four different teams and discovering firsthand that life as a professional athlete requires a whole lot more than showing up for training.
New cities. New teammates. New routines. And the constant challenge of finding balance in an unpredictable career.
Through it all, one thing remained constant: her love of food.
A Cookbook for the Whole Player
The Long Game grew out of Sam’s experiences navigating the demands of professional soccer while learning how to nourish herself, develop healthy habits, and find joy in the kitchen.
Filled with delicious recipes, beautiful photography, and personal reflections, the book offers a refreshing perspective on what it means to fuel your body.
Because eating well shouldn’t feel like another competition.
For young athletes especially, the conversation around food can become overly focused on performance, calories, and getting everything exactly right. Sam brings a different energy to the table — one that celebrates good food, balance, and enjoying the process.
Whether you’re a soccer player juggling practices and school, a college athlete learning to cook for yourself, or simply someone looking for inspiration in the kitchen, The Long Game offers something to savor.
A Little Expert Love
Sam’s approach has also earned praise from nationally recognized sports dietitian Leslie Bonci, MPH, RD, CSSD, LDN, who applauds the book’s emphasis on enjoying food while fueling the body.
Bonci’s endorsement captures the spirit of the cookbook perfectly: a little playful, a lot of heart, and a refreshing reminder that nutrition and enjoyment can go hand in hand.
More Than a Cookbook
At Girls Soccer Network, we’ve always believed that supporting female athletes means celebrating the whole person, not just the player.
Sam embodies that philosophy.
From helping launch The BIG LIFE to co-creating GSN’s Soccerista United mentorship program, she’s been passionate about connecting with and inspiring the next generation of girls in soccer.
Now, with The Long Game, she’s sharing another side of herself and reminding young athletes that the interests and passions they develop beyond the field matter, too.
We’re incredibly proud to celebrate this next chapter with her.
And if you’re looking for a thoughtful gift for the soccer player in your life — or simply a little inspiration to spend more time in the kitchen — The Long Game deserves a spot on your shelf.
Big goals. Good eats. That’s the long game.
Available through Girls Soccer Network.